Monday, May 13, 2013

Interview with Kathleen Harrington




Welcome to my stop on Lachlan's Bride Tour! Today, I'm pleased to be interviewing the author, Kathleen Harrington. I do hope you'll help me welcome Kathleen to the blog, and leave a comment that you dropped by!



Tell me about yourself.


I'm a native Southern Californian and retired from teaching in the California Public Schools a few years ago. I thoroughly enjoyed teaching First Graders how to read. Working in a school in an immigrant barrio, I taught children who spoke English as a second language. One year, I had five different languages in my classroom. I loved the challenge, and I loved the children.


How long have you been writing? How many published books do you have, and what genres?


My first book, CHERISH THE DREAM, was published in 1990. LACHLAN'S BRIDE is my tenth. All my books are historical romances and have been published by Avon. My stories vary widely in setting. I've written stories set in the American West, as well as Georgian and Regency London. And, of course, the Scottish Highlands, which is the setting of my Highland Lairds Trilogy.

Who do you love to read? Favorite authors, favorite books.


Ken Follett is one of my favorite authors. I'm presently re-reading THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH, which is set in Medieval England and tells of the building of the great cathedrals. I also enjoy Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin Series. I recently finished reading BLUE AT THE MIZZEN. Scottish writer, Dorothy Dunnett is another favorite author. She wrote THE GAME OF KINGS series (not to be confused with GAME OF THRONES, which I also loved!). I read lots and lots of history, biographies, and autobiographies of people who lived in the time period I'm researching. Some of my favorite romance authors are Julie Garwood, Nora Roberts and Amanda Quick.


If you could keep a mythical/paranormal creature as a pet, what would you have?


Well, I mentioned that I'm presently enthralled with GAME OF THRONES. I'd love to have a baby dragon as a pet like the "Mother of Dragons" in the series. Think of the power you'd have, carrying a dragon on your shoulder! All your enemies would be toast!


Tell me a little about your latest release.


In LACHLAN'S BRIDE, the love story of Lady Francine Walsingham and Laird Lachlan MacRath is woven around the historic journey of Princess Margaret Tudor on her way to wed the Scottish king, James IV. Margaret was the eldest daughter of Henry VII. The contract for her marriage brought with it the Treaty of Perpetual Peace, a cause of great rejoicing among the common people of both England and Scotland. The two countries had waged war against each other for centuries.
Very shortly into the journey, a plot is discovered which puts Francine and her young daughter in mortal danger. To ensure their safety, Francine must pretend that Lachlan MacRath is her lover, even though she knows him to be a pirate and a sorcerer.
This is the second book in my Highland Lairds Trilogy. The first book, THE MacLEAN GROOM, tells the story of the oldest half-brother, Rory MacLean.
I'm presently working on the third book, with the tentative title of KEIR'S STORY.


If you could spend a day with anyone from history, dead or alive, who would it be, and what would you do. What would you ask them?

Wow! What a thought-provoking question! I read an biography of Jennie Churchill, Winston Churchill's mother. Jennie was a drop-dead gorgeous daughter of an American millionaire. She and her sister went to London to find titled husbands. They both wed into the British aristocracy, bringing their inheritances with them. (I'm reminded of the current BBC series, Downton Abbey.)
Jennie Churchill's marriage proved to be an unhappy one. I'd love to spend a day with her. I'd like to ask her if she regretted her choice, especially when her son became the renowned Prime Minister of Great Britain during World War II.


What are some of your other hobbies outside of writing?


I enjoy gardening. I don't raise vegetables, but love to grow flowers. I'm particularly proud of my roses. I also enjoy taking yoga classes at my local community center. And I've taken a Floral Design class for several years.


What is something you've always wanted to do, but haven't done yet. Why not?

Someday I'd like to visit France. I've traveled quite a bit. I've been to England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. I've also traveled in Germany, Switzerland, and Northern Italy, including Venice. And I've taken several cruises. Next I'd like to see Paris and the Eiffel Tower.

LACHLAN'S BRIDE, an Avon Impulse, was released on April 30th.
Thank you for inviting me to share my thoughts with your readers. I can be found at the following places:
Twitter@kathleensbooks





Blurb

He is Lachlan MacRath, laird and pirate. And he intends to be her lover…

Lady Francine Walsingham could not believe this fierce Highland warrior is to be her escort into Scotland. It is whispered that Lachlan MacRath has magical powers…how else do you explain why her countrymen call him the Sorcerer of the Seas? But trust him she must, for a treacherous plot is about to reveal all her secrets…and Francine has no choice but to act as his lover to keep her enemies at bay.

When Lachlan first sees Francine, the English beauty stirs his blood like no woman has ever before. As luck would have it, they must now play the besotted couple so he can protect her ….and Lachlan is determined to use all his seductive prowess to properly woo her into his bed.






Excerpt

PROLOGUE
May 1496
The Cheviot Hills
The Border between England and Scotland

Stretched flat on the blood-soaked ground, Lachlan MacRath gazed up at the cloudless morning sky and listened to the exhausted moans of the wounded.

The dead and the dying lay scattered across the lush spring grass. Overhead the faint rays of dawn broke above the hilltops, as the buttercups and bluebells dipped and swayed in the soft breeze. The gruesome corpses were sprawled amidst the wildflowers, their vacant eyes staring upward to the heavens, the stumps of their severed arms and legs still oozing blood and gore. Dented helmets, broken swords, axes, and pikes gave mute testimony to the ferocity of the combatants. Here and there, a loyal destrier, trained to war, grazed calmly alongside its fallen master.

Following close upon daylight, the scavengers would come creeping, ready to strip the bodies of anything worth a shilling: armor, dirks, boots, belts. If they were Scotsmen, he'd be in luck. If not, he'd soon be dead. There wasn't a blessed thing he could do but wait. He was pinned beneath his dead horse, and all efforts to free himself during the night had proven fruitless.

In the fierce, running battle of the evening before, the warriors on horseback had left behind all who'd fallen. Galloping across the open, rolling countryside, Scots and English had fought savagely, till it was too dark to tell friend from foe. There was no way of knowing the outcome of the battle, for victory had been determined miles away.

Hell, it was Lachlan's own damn fault. He'd come on the foray into England with King James for a lark. After delivering four new canons to the castle at Roxburgh, along with the Flemish master gunners to fire them, he'd decided not to return to his ship immediately as planned. The uneventful crossing on the Sea Hawk from the Low Countries to Edinburgh, followed by the tedious journey to the fortress, with the big guns pulled by teams of oxen, had left him eager for a bit of adventure.

When he'd learned that the king was leading a small force into Northumberland to retrieve cattle raided by Sassenach outlaws, the temptation to join them had been too great to resist. There was nothing like a hand-to-hand skirmish with his ancient foe to get a man's blood pumping through his veins.

But Lord Dacre, Warden of the Marches, had surprised the Scots with a much larger, well-armed force of his own, and what should have been a carefree rout turned into deadly combat.

A plea for help interrupted Lachlan's brooding thoughts. Not far away, a wounded English soldier, who'd cried out in pain during the night, raised himself up on one elbow.

"Lychester! Over here, sir! It's Will Jeffries!"

Lachlan watched from beneath slit lids as another Sassenach came into view. Attired in the splendid armor of the nobility, the newcomer rode a large, caparisoned black horse. He'd clearly come looking for someone, for he held the reins of a smaller chestnut, its saddle empty and waiting.

"Here I am, Marquess," the young man named Jeffries called weakly. He lifted one hand in a trembling wave as the marquess of Lychester drew near to his countryman. Dismounting, he approached the wounded soldier.

"Thank God," Jeffries said with a hoarse groan. "I've taken a sword blade in my thigh. The cut's been oozing steadily. I was afraid I wouldn't make it through the night."

Lychester didn't say a word. He came to stand behind the injured man, knelt down on one knee, and raised his fallen comrade to a seated position. Grabbing a hank of his yellow hair, the marquess jerked the fair head back and deftly slashed the exposed throat from ear to ear. Then he calmly wiped his blade on the youth's doublet, lifted him up in his arms, and threw the body face down over the chestnut's back.

The English nobleman glanced around, checking, no doubt, to see if there'd been a witness to the cold-blooded execution. Lachlan held his breath and remained motionless, his lids lowered over his eyes. Apparently satisfied, the marquess mounted, grabbed the reins of the second horse and rode away.

Lachlan slowly exhaled.

Sonofabitch.

He knew the English were a bloodthirsty race. But he hadn't thought that included the murder of a helpless patriot on a deserted battlefield.

What kind of bastard did such a traitorous thing?



Buy Links
Author Info
KATHLEEN HARRINGTON, winner of the Colorado Romance Writers’ Award of Excellence, has touched the hearts of readers across the country with her sparkling tales of high adventure and unending love. Her historical romances have been finalists for the Romance Writers of America’s RITA, The Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Awards, the Virginia Romance Writers’ HOLT Medallion, and the Phoenix Desert Rose Golden Quill. Her fabulous heroes have garnered the KISS (Knight in Shining Silver) Award. She lives in Southern California.

Author Links
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kathleensbooks//@kathleensbooks









You can follow the tour here
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Review: The Purrfect Plan

Title: The Purrfect Plan  

Author: Angela Castle

Publisher: Rogue Phoenix Press

Genre: paranormal romance

Reviewer: Tabitha

Review rating: 5 LIGHTNING BOLTS


Blurb: Fed up with men, but wanting a baby, Storm Wellington decides to take matters into her own hands, randomly selecting an obscure little town to find an unknowing sperm donor. Unknowingly, Storm walks into a town run and owned by big cat shifters. River Black, Alpha of Blacktown can’t believe his luck, finding his mate in his own town, even better, the lovely lush woman is more than eager. After a passionate night, Storm disappears without a trace, leaving River desperate to find her. Finally, tracking her down, River discovers the evidence of her single parenthood plans and is now pregnant with his cubs. River persuades Storm to return to Blacktown with him, but another has her eye on River and is determined to rid the town of any rival. In the sweltering heat of the Australian Summer, River must convince Storm to be his mate and protect her or risk losing her forever.

Review:

A Damaged Woman...

Storm Wellington distrusts all men. Her past relationships and her mother's have left a bitter taste in her mouth. But with her biological clock ticking like a gong in her ear she figures men have one sole purpose. She feels the pull to have a baby at least her child will always love her. But she has no urge to take on a man in the process.

The Plan...

Go to a small town away from where she lives and find a willing donor. Okay, maybe not so willing. But what he doesn't know won't hurt him? Right?

An Alpha Shifter...

River Black is Alpha of Blacktown. Tall, dark and oozing sexuality. He is shocked when he walks into the local bar and finds him mate. She is everything he has ever dreamed of and...she smells like cookies. How could a man or shifter ask for more? Elated when she responds so willingly to him and seems to crave him as much as he does her. After a night of unbridled passion he is confused when he wakes alone the next morning. Not sure how to find the little minx that stole his heart he's rattled but determined to search her out. The Hunt is On...

The characters in The Purrfect Plan were raw and emotionally flawed but believable. They felt real and not like perfection. I love flawed characters that take you on an emotional ride. The outcome it so much more fulfilling.

The relationship between Storm and River was rocky at first but to see the trust between them build leaves the reader emotionally attached and not wanting the story to end. But I feel we will get sneak peeks into their lives in the other books to come in this series. Or at least I hope so!

River is patient and gives Storm time to trust him. I found this very sweet. Storm fights the attraction but finds she needs him enough to take the gamble. Yep! That was the sweet spot in the story where the readers sigh.

This story had a bit of everything, romance, deceit, action, and steamy sex scenes. From start to finish I couldn't put this story down.

I found this story to be a must read. I'm glad I got the chance to review The Purrfect Plan. I will definitely be reading more of Mrs. Castle's books. She paints vibrant characters and know how to craft a spellbinding story.

Happy Reading,

Tabitha Blake

Barnes & Noble


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Guest Blogger M. S. Spencer


Thanks for having me, Nikki. I’d like to talk about my new release, Lapses of Memory, and give away a pdf copy to one lucky reader.

Lapses of Memory follow the exploits of two journalists, Sydney Bellek and Elian Davies, as they travel the globe reporting on various world catastrophes. The first time they meet as adults, Elian is about to infiltrate a fictional Greek revolutionary group, and Sydney is off to Cairo to study Arabic. The next time, however, they are both covering the initial stages of the revolution in Iran and only barely escape. Again a few years later we find them rivals in the search for a scoop on the Lebanese Civil War. During their journey, their love grows and deepens.

Since I lived through these same events, I wanted to convey both the excitement and the trepidation associated with being in the midst of a world-shattering crisis. As reporters, Sydney and Elian sensed that something important was happening, but couldn’t know the extent or the consequences of it. To add that dimension, Sydney tells the story of her life to her daughter. I hope you find it as romantic as I do.


Lapses of Memory, by M. S. Spencer   
Secret Cravings Publishing (May 10, 2013)
Ebook, 70,000 words
Romance, Action/Adventure, M/F, 3 flames


Blurb:
In Lapses of Memory, Sydney Bellek’s love for Elian Davies is reignited each time they meet, but in the long years following each encounter she forgets him. For his part, Elian knows from the age of seven that they are meant for each other, but when she finally understands it’s too late. Will he regain his memory and remember her or will their new love be enough to replace the old one?

Meanwhile, Sydney’s daughter Olivia chronicles the ups and downs of her parents’ romance, making it difficult to concentrate on her own dilemma—how to choose between the rich and dashing Rémy de Beaumec, who wants to take her around the world, and the strong, silent, American-to-the-core, Benjamin Knox, who only wants to make her happy.

EXCERPT (R): Gurney Sex

She walked into a small storeroom. A wheeled gurney sat in the middle and the walls were lined with shelves of medical supplies. “This must be the first aid closet.”
Elian picked up a box marked TONGUE DEPRESSORS and hefted it. “Let’s hope no one needs these for a while.”
She sat on the gurney and bounced. “Seems comfortable enough.”
He said nothing.
“Elian?”
“Yes?”
“I might remember a boy in Tangier. He had a cowlick, and pointed ears like an elf’s, and…and…a sharp chin. And he smelled like licorice.”
He moved toward her. “Anise.”
“All right, anise.”
Their eyes locked. “Sydney?”
“Yes?”
“Kiss me.”
She floated toward him, fetching up against his chest, where she rested, bumping gently. Her head rose like a helium-filled balloon, her lips drawn inexorably toward his. She hesitated, suddenly afraid. What if this is real?
“It is real, Sydney. It’s always been real. You just refuse to recognize it. Or me.” His hands went to either side of her face.
The wall crumbled. Tears falling, she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him. They stood swaying, holding on only by mouth, only breaking apart to allow a frenzy of kisses to rain on each other. Hand between her breasts, Elian bent Sydney back and gently pushed her onto the gurney. He kissed her throat and planted kisses down her sternum as he unbuttoned the safari blouse. Motionless, she concentrated on the burning spots where his lips had touched her skin. When he reached her belly button he undid the zipper and continued on.
She writhed on the bed, hoping, hoping he wouldn’t stop. Her pussy dribbled, soaking the silk panties. She said not a word. He tugged at the pants, letting them drop on the floor and buried his face in her vagina. She felt the orgasm approaching, a fast train on a slow track, and pushed his face away. “Come to me.”
He lifted his head to look at her face, his own muddied with desire. In one swift movement, he tore his jeans off and threw them aside. He climbed up on the gurney. As in her long ago dream, his cock pulsed red, beating against her belly. With one hand he spread her thighs and let his penis run up along the inner flesh and deep into her. The gurney began to roll but neither of them paid any attention. He pressed into her, a steadily accelerating motion, reaching ever closer to her heart. She closed with him, so near her nipples grazed his chest, her knees touched behind his back.
They rolled back and forth, a symbiotic wave crashing against the shore, until she whispered, “Elian, we’re there…oh….Elian.” Her clitoris trembled and gave in, just as the gurney hit the wall with a crash. They heard a shout.
“Quick, quick.” He tossed her clothes at her and quickly pulled on his jeans. Except for a slight puffing, he showed no evidence of what they had just done. Sydney stifled the stab of pain his cold dispassion gave her—blue-lined by Elian—and followed his orders.
The shouts had died down, and the two quietly left the room, sidling along the wall until they reached the main terminal. “You have your ticket?” he murmured. She nodded. “The Middle East Airlines counter is down to the left—now run!” and he gave her a mighty shove. She didn’t have time to argue. Behind her a uniformed brigade marched into the terminal, singling out foreigners and checking their passports. She handed the stewardess her boarding pass and hurried out to the plane.
As she reached the bottom step of the airstairs leading up into the plane, she felt a hand on her shoulder. “Elian!” She turned in relief, but before her stood a stranger, a young Iranian boy. He held out a folded note.
She took it and read. “Sydney, I forgot something in the room. Go quickly, don’t look back. I’ll find you again. I’ve always remembered you. Someday you’ll do the same.”

M. S. Spencer would love to hear from you!  

Contacts:
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/msspencerauthor/
Amazon Author Page:

Biography
Although she’s lived or traveled in every continent except Antarctica and Australia (bucket list), M. S. Spencer has spent the last thirty years mostly in Washington, D.C. as a librarian, Congressional staff assistant, speechwriter, editor, birdwatcher, kayaker, policy wonk, non-profit director and parent. Blessed with two fabulous grown children and the company of Iggy Pop the cat, she has published seven romantic suspense/mystery novels. In an excess of optimism, she is about to heave the entire ho to Florida with a detour to Maine, leaving behind the cherry blossoms, the monuments, and the political hacks.

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Saturday, May 11, 2013

Spotlight & Review: Nobody's Damsel

Blurb:


Chloe has finished her masters degree and taken a job as a forensic scientist back in her home town of Albuquerque, New Mexico, only the press will not leave her alone. They follow her to crime scenes and report on her every move, eager to show that her marriage to Hollywood A-lister, Jason Vanderholt, is on the brink of collapse. Millions of fans who dream of their own celebrity romance with him want this more than anything. This scrutiny comes at a particularly bad time as Chloe's first case is a crime against a child roughly the same age that Chloe was when she survived a homicide attempt.

Now that she sees the case from an adult's perspective, she realizes it's much harder than she ever dreamed. It's even worse for Jason, who is two steps removed from the crime. He must watch and try to support his wife as she battles with past demons and tries to keep up with a nameless suspect who evades identification and capture. Never has Jason been more frustrated with his job, its frivolities, and its lack of connection to the real world. When he storms off the set of his latest movie, the press goes wild with conjecture. Perhaps he never was anything more than a pretty face after all.

Together, Chloe and Jason must find their way past all the popping flashbulbs and through the dark maze of the criminal investigation to discover whether they can balance their professional goals with the demands of a celebrity marriage. The odds are entirely against them.

Excerpt:


Dave turned and leaned back against the car. I noticed he positioned himself so that Jason couldn’t see his face. “You might want to plan a surprise visit to LA. Maybe a few. Do what you did for his birthday the year before last and just show up.”
“Okay…”
“And don’t tell me anything about your plans or schedule.” His voice was pitched low. It was obvious he did not want Jason to overhear.
“Sorry?”
“’Kay, listen close because I can really only say this once. I’m Jason’s employee, so that’s where my loyalties lie. Don’t give me any power over you, not even the power to know when you’re likely to show up next, because if Jason ever asks me to help him do anything you don’t want, I’ll do it. That’s how these things work. It’s nothing personal.”
My head spun a little as these words sank in. “So if Jason wanted to cheat on me and lie about it-”
“I can make sure you never know, but only if I’ve got your schedule and can anticipate when you’re likely to show up.”
“That happen a lot?”
“I can’t tell you. You can’t trust me.” He pushed off the car and handed me a paper bag. “Hope you like beef.”
My phone rang to the tune of the theme song from Jason’s cheesiest movie. “Hey gorgeous,” he said. “Just thought I’d drop by.”
“Hello husband who is nowhere near me right now.”
“I know, I’m so far away. Wonder what time zone this even is.”
“It’s all just so glamorous.”
“Let me guess, you’re waiting on the warrant?” His parents had both worked for the DA’s office, so he knew a thing or two about the criminal justice system.
“Yep.”
“I’m sorry I can’t get out and wait with you.”
“Me too, but thanks.”
By now Dave had moved around to the driver’s side and opened the door to get in.
“Thank you for bringing two meals,” I called out to him.
“Hey, I know how to buy people off, all right? Food’s one of the best bribes.”
“I have never made you buy anyone off.” Jason sounded genuinely offended.
“Oh, that’s right. You haven’t, officially.” He tilted his head in a way that conveyed giving a wink.

Review rating: 4 LIGHTNING BOLTS

Review:  Nobody's Damsel is the next installment after Someone Else's Fairytail, and I'm so glad to have been able to revisit with Jason and Chloe. I enjoyed their story in that book, and it's neat to see what happens after they end up together. 

Real life kicks in, and the pair have so much to work out. Readers get a glimpse into  after the HEA, and that's appealing to me. We get to understand just what happens after characters find the one they love. It's got a great real life aspect to it, making it easy to relate to.

Chloe, the heroine, has a chance to face her past, so to speak, when she takes on something that reminds her of her own history. There's a bit of emotion and angst to go through, that makes this a compelling, dramatic read. Can I just say, I love the way Jason is with her, and I'm so glad we got to see more of these two?

Great job to the author for weaving in a bit of drama, emotion and contemporary setting in Nobody's Damsel. Can't wait for more! 

Author Bio:


E.M. Tippetts grew up in New Mexico and now lives in London, where she raises two boisterous toddlers, designs jewelry, and writes novels. A former attorney, she used to specialize in real estate and estate planning, specifically literary estate planning. She currently has five novels out, Time & Eternity, Paint Me True, Someone Else's Fairytale, Castles on the Sand, and Nobody's Damsel (Fairytale 2).

Connect with E.M.

Buy the Book!

Barnes and Noble: 

Kobo:




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Friday, May 10, 2013

Guest Blogger Shar Dimick


Do You Like It Hot or Not?
As a young girl reading wasn’t always one of my favorite past times. It wasn’t until junior high I lit upon the Wild Fire and Sweet Dreams teen romance series. I checked them out of the library two and three at a time, devouring the sweet love stories, sighing, and hoping someday that girl falling in love would be me. As I grew up I read other genres, but always found myself coming back to romances. Getting lost in a good love story, quickly takes me away from the mundaneness of my own life. The emotions of the new love and that first kiss never fail to sweep me away. There’s a reason why romance novels focus on falling in love rather than the normal everyday life of an old married couple. Who wants to read about the real life hard work that comes after those initial lovey feelings wear off? Not me. And I don’t really want to write about them either.
As an author of contemporary romance novels I find the hardest part of writing is determining how far to delve into the bedroom. I struggle the most with writing those intimate love scenes. How much detail should I include and what should I simply leave to the reader’s imagination? Just like the baby bear’s porridge I hope to get the “heat” level “just right.” More importantly though, I want my readers to relate to the characters and feel their emotions; to fall in love right along with them. As a reader, some of my favorite authors are Debbie Macomber, Susan Wiggs, Nora Roberts, Robyn Carr and Barbara Freethy. These authors all make me feel a part of the story. They make me feel like I could be the heroine of the story. They give just enough detail without being crude or lewd. On the other hand, I’m far from being a prude or easily offended and I know sex sells. Even I admit that I read all three of E.L. James’ Shades of Grey trilogy. However, I found myself skipping over much of the “adult” content to get to the storyline and find out about the characters themselves. I blush to think of myself actually writing those types of scenes.
Thus, I tried to find that happy medium in my novels and fell more along the “leave it to your imagination” lines. Interestingly, some readers of my first novel, Take A Deep Breath, have congratulated me for writing a sweet, romantic love story without a lot intimate scenes, while others chastised me for having too much adult content and yet a few others harangued me for not having enough heat. Obviously, I’ll never be able to please every reader’s taste in that department. So as I wrote my second novel, Take Your Time, I decided to do what I do best and focus on the story and not worry so much about how “hot” it was. I let the love scenes write themselves as the story called for them or not. As I work on my next novel, this continues to be my focus - more innuendo and i to write what I was comfortable withenemagination than graphic details. I figure if I can’t please all romance readers, I better write what I like and if others like my stories too--well that’s a bonus.
What about you? Do you like to read spicy and hot novels or do you prefer the sweet, sentimental ones?




About Shar Dimick
Shar Dimick started writing stories and poems as a grade-schooler. Her passion for writing continues to grow. Whether writing, a blog entry, a software manual or a chapter in her next novel, not a day goes by where she isn’t writing something. Cousin to her love for writing, Shar’s also an avid reader of romance novels from contemporary to historical. Drawn to the genre from an early age, it seemed natural that her first novel, Take a Deep Breath, be a contemporary romance. Many readers emailed Shar how much they enjoyed Take a Deep Breath and asked for more. Writing in the early mornings and late evenings with a push from the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), she pushed ahead and wrote her next novel, Take Your Time, the second book in what is now the “Lake of the Pines” series. She is currently at work on the third book in the series, Take My Hand.
Shar holds a Master of Arts in English from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. Shar, her husband and their daughters live in rural Northwest Ohio. You can connect with her at www.shardimick.com, follow her on twitter @shardimick or like her on facebook at www.facebook.com/shardimick.

Take A Deep Breath - Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Quarter-Finalist   
Waves of unending panic washed over her, sending her to the brink.He wiped away her tears and whispered, “It'll be okay. Take a deep breath...” His voice grew soft and soothing. “You can get through this. I’ll help you.”
“Okay,” she nodded and she believed him. She didn’t know why, but she did. Somehow, he made her believe she could be whole again.
Liv Reynolds can't remember when anxiety and panic didn't play havoc on her life. Recently divorced from a man who wouldn't or couldn't understand her, she retreats with her daughter to her grandmother's summer cottage on Lake of the Pines. Liv has fond memories of the summers she spent there with her grandparents. Always a safe haven, she hopes to spend the summer relaxing, healing and finding herself again. In the midst of a panic attack, she finds herself face-to-face with Cameron Preston, the boy with whom she'd spent her childhood summers. In love with him back then, she never found the courage to tell him and they drifted apart...Her heart leaps at the second chance for love. Confusion swamps her as she tries to figure out why Cam keeps pulling away... Can Liv rekindle their old friendship and to turn it into something more?
Cam quit his busy big-city medical practice exhausted and disillusioned. He returns to his family's summer home on Lake of the Pines to regroup and determine where and what he wants to do next. When he runs into Liv, the girl he let slip away, he knows where wants to head and with whom. When Cam meets Liv's eight-year-old daughter, he assumes Liv is married. He struggles to keep his feelings for Liv in check while resuming the friendship he desperately misses. His one regret was not kissing Liv all those years ago when he had the chance... He has never stopped loving Liv. Will he let her slip away again? Not if he has his way.
Available at Amazon

Take Your Time   
Content to hide behind her camera, Maddy Adams often feels more comfortable observing life rather than actively participating in it. For the past five years she’s focused only on her studies and building her photography career. The summer after her college graduation, Maddy returns to Lake of the Pines for her sister Liv’s wedding. While happy her sister has found love again, Maddy wonders if she’ll ever find love herself. Meanwhile, her college roomie pressures Maddy to go out with her older brother, who happens to be vacationing at the same lake. Maddy doesn't want to go on another blind date, but after blowing it with the gorgeous man she met on the beach she figures she doesn't have anything to lose. Or does she?
Mason Ellis finds himself on a beautiful house boat docked at Lake of the Pines after finally taking his best friend’s long-standing invitation to visit. He has two long weeks away from his fast-paced software development business to relax and unplug if he can. Six months ago the woman he'd lived and hoped to marry left him for someone else. Tired of meaningless hookups, Mason wants more, but is afraid of getting burned again. When he spies a woman on the beach taking his photo, he's intrigued. However, when he finally meets the mystery photographer, she brushes him off. Meanwhile, his little sister keeps pestering him to go on a blind date with her old college roommate. Mason decides a blind date is just what he needs to get back into the dating scene. It's not like it will lead to anything more. Or will it?

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Cover Reveal: Bachelor's Special By Christine Warner + Giveaway

I am very excited about this cover reveal today, because that means soon I will have me another Christine Warner fix!  Storm Goddess Book Reviews named Christine as one of 2012's debut authors to watch, and it's been awhile since I've had something nice and shiny in my hands from this great author. Without further ado, I'm going to unveil this hot, fun cover from Christine's June release, Bachelor's Special. Yummy, all the way around! Ready?









Jill Adgate wants three things from life: a successful catering business, a family, and the love of an exceptional man. What she has is no job, a mounting pile of bills, and her outspoken best friend—who sets her up on a blind date with the man who inadvertently ruined Jill’s life.
Chet Castle is a businessman who has everything, except the ability to trust. Burned by a money-hungry fiancée, he refuses to get involved in any relationship that has a shelf life longer than a head of lettuce.
Intrigued by her ambition—and determined to get her in bed—Chet offers Jill the chance of a lifetime: work as his live-in chef and he’ll help her get her catering business off the ground. When sparks fly in the kitchen, Jill realizes what’s cooking is a recipe for disaster…



Congrats, Christine! I can't wait until this book is in my hands and i can devour it! 





Title: Bachelor’s Special
Author: Christine Warner
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: May 2013
Imprint: Indulgence





Author Information


Author bio:

Christine Warner is living her dream in Michigan along with her husband, three children, one laptop and a much loved assortment of furry friends.
Besides laughing and a good round of humor, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, reading, writing but no arithmitic. A confessed people watcher, she finds inspiration for her stories in everyday activities. She loves to read and write about strong heroes and determined, sometimes sassy, heroines.
A girl gone wild, at least where social media is concerned, she enjoys meeting other avid readers and writers on facebook, twitter and her website at christine-warner.com.

Twitter under ChristinesWords: https://twitter.com/#!/ChristinesWords
My Facebook page…stop by and give it a LIKE to stay up to date with the latest: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Christine-Warner/143430882396013
I love to hear from readers and other authors :)





a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Cover Reveal: Act Like You Love Me by Cindi Madsen





ACT LIKE YOU LOVE ME official Blurb:


All’s fair in acting and amore...


Brynn McAdams isn’t the awkward drama geek she was in high school—she’s grown up and confident, or at least she likes to think so. But when her old crush, the impossibly handsome and impossibly unattainable Sawyer Raines, comes back to town to direct her community play, Brynn finds herself determined to be someone other than the girl he doesn’t even recognize. Good thing she’s an excellent actress.


After his bad breakup in NYC, the last thing Sawyer wants is to get involved with another actress. But the glamorous and beautiful Brynn draws him in, even though as her director, he knows she’s off-limits. There’s just something about the woman that feels…familiar. Like home.


As Brynn’s lies start to snowball, she struggles to stop acting and come clean. But what if Sawyer is already falling for the fake Brynn, not the Brynn she truly is?




ACT LIKE YOU LOVE ME excerpt:

“Cut, cut cut!” Sawyer stood. “Was that supposed to be more passionate? Because it sucked.”


“This is supposed to be the eighteen hundreds,” Brynn said. “It can’t be too passionate or it would seem inappropriate for the time.”


The next instant Sawyer was charging up the steps to the stage. “I’m not saying it’s got to be a kiss with tongue, I’m saying you’ve got to look at each other like you’re in love so the audience will want it to work out. Our modern audience.” Sawyer shook his head. “Take it again, from before the proposal.”


It was impossible to concentrate with Sawyer standing right there, so close she could hear every shift of his body and feel his gaze on her like a weight. All her lines were swimming together.


Leo knelt, told her she was an angel. She said her line, trying to peer into his soul like she wanted to be with him, and then Leo kissed her. And it was sloppier than usual.


She did her best to not jerk back, though it was her first instinct.


“Okay, that was just…” Sawyer moved in front of her. He looked at the playbook, then lowered it by his side and stared into her eyes. The air thickened around them and she could feel every thump of her heart. “What a perfect angel you are, Cecily.” He said it so tenderly, his smile close-lipped but full of joy.


“You dear romantic boy,” she said, all out of instinct because thoughts were getting fuzzy.


He leaned in and kissed her, a soft kiss with his lips barely parted. The pressure of his lips increased for a delicious moment, and then they were gone. A quick, simple kiss, but when his mouth left hers, she felt its absence so strongly that she couldn’t think about anything else for a couple seconds. Her breath was stuck somewhere in her lungs and her lips still tingled, living the sensation over and over again. Heat wound through her body, her hands itched to reach out and touch him. And then she remembered she was supposed to. She ran her fingers through his hair and felt the whisper of his breath on her wrist as he exhaled.


“Wow, that was good,” Wendy said from the front, breaking Brynn from her trance.


Brynn stepped back and swallowed, but her throat wasn’t working right. Sawyer’s eyes never left hers, and one corner of his mouth curved up in a smug, self-satisfied way.


“It was all right, I suppose,” Brynn said, working to keep her voice steady. She crossed her arms and shrugged. “For a first-timer, anyway.”


That only made Sawyer’s smile grow wider.


Brynn couldn’t help but watch Sawyer as he jumped off the stage. Funny how she’d dreamed of kissing him all the time in high school, but her fantasy wasn’t even close to the real thing. Her heart felt like it’d just been wrung out and shoved back in her


And her scene with Leo was better. She was sure it had nothing to do with the fact that she closed her eyes and pretended it was Sawyer kissing her again.


Nope. Nothing at all.



ACT LIKE YOU LOVE ME pre-buy links:

FALLING FOR HER FIANCE Links:

Additional links to Cindi’s pages:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Cindi Madsen sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting revising, and falling in love with her characters. Sometimes it makes her a crazy person. Without it, she’d be even crazier. She has way too many shoes, but can always find a reason to buy a new pretty pair, especially if they’re sparkly, colorful, or super tall. She loves music, dancing, and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband and three children. She is the author of YA novelsAll the Broken Pieces and Demons of the Sun, bestselling short romance Falling for Her Fiancé and the women's fiction novel Cinderella Screwed Me Over.


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